FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sue Winchester
801.303.7924
media@ouramericainitiative.com
GOVERNOR GARY JOHNSON, HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF OUR AMERICA INITIATIVE,
UNVEILS ‘SIX POINT PLAN FOR EFFECTIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM’
Former Governor of New Mexico says security on the border should not be only remedy, and will not sufficiently solve immigration problem; comprehensive plan is needed
June 30, 2010, Santa Fe, NM —Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico and Honorary Chairman of the OUR America Initiative, today issued his “Six Point Plan for Effective Immigration Reform.” As Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson managed what is arguably the most racially diverse state in the Union. His proposal centers on establishing cost effective border security methods, creating common-sense guest worker programs, enacting a realistic process to resolve the status of illegal workers already in the country, and legalizing marijuana to reduce border violence.
Governor Johnson’s proposal on immigration outlines real solutions that involve cost benefit analysis, encourage documented immigration, and maintain our nation’s security. Johnson’s plan is based on his experience as Governor of a border state for eight years and was developed in consultation with citizens on the immigration issue from around the country.
Announcing his plan, Governor Johnson said, “As President Reagan recognized more than 25 years ago, a robust immigration system is essential to a successful free market system in this country. Reagan also recognized that having control of our borders is a fundamental responsibility of a sovereign nation.” Johnson continued, “Our current system needs to be repaired. The lack of Federal leadership on immigration has forced states like Arizona to take matters into their own hands. It is time to take a hard look at solving our immigration problems.”
Johnson noted that immigration is not just a security issue and that stronger security measures will not solve the entire problem. “It is not enough to merely provide security on the border to solve the immigration problem. We need a comprehensive plan,” said Johnson. He further added, “No plan for immigration is complete that does not include a solution to stop the terrible problem with border crime. This crime wave is a direct result of the drug trade, and the most effective and quickest way to stop border crime and the drug cartels is to legalize marijuana.”
Six Point Plan for Effective Immigration Reform
Immigration into the United States by ambitious, willing workers and their families is a good thing. Not only is it a historical and energizing part of American culture and experience, it is vital to our economy.
These positive benefits should not be sacrificed or reduced in any solution to stop illegal immigration. However, a clear distinction must be made between illegal and legal immigration.
In reality, true and cost-effective border security will only be achieved through a common sense combination of technology, a market-based guest worker program, and a safe, but efficient system for the legal flow of immigrants to and from the United States.
Governor Johnson’s immigration proposal focuses on the following six key points:
1. Establish real and cost-effective border security.
• Continue to encourage and allow legal immigration.
• Support current border deterrents and security measures, with an understanding of the low cost benefit analysis of these methods.
2. Create a temporary guest worker program that makes sense.
• Expand and streamline a market based temporary guest worker program.
• Enact an application and tracking procedure for guest workers, such as an e-verify system. Procedures must be quick, simple and efficient in providing documentation information, and must meet the needs of both employers and willing workers.
• Require guest workers to not only pay income taxes, but provide proof of adequate health care coverage through insurance, secured savings programs, bonds, or a combination thereof.
• Allow spouses and dependents to enter the U.S. with guest workers, but only with proof of adequate health coverage and subject to the same background checks and health requirements.
3. Impose meaningful enforcement of immigration laws.
• Establish procedures and devote the resources to actually identify illegal immigrants and deport them. Implement a “one strike, you’re out” policy toward illegal immigrants with regard to future eligibility for guest worker programs.
• Impose and enforce sanctions and fines for noncompliance with immigration laws by employers that are sufficiently costly, ensuring that the risks simply are not worth the rewards.
4. Enact a reality-based process for current illegal workers to earn legal status.
• Allow a two-year grace period during which illegal immigrants already in the U.S. can come forward, pay any taxes owed, provide proof of consistent employment, pass a criminal background check, and apply for guest worker status.
5. Reduce border crime.
• Address the root cause of most border crime by legalizing marijuana, thereby removing 70% of the current cross-border illegal drug trade and replacing cartel and prohibition-related violence with legal, regulated and nonviolent commerce.
6. Achieve a better working relationship with Mexico.
• Stimulate cross-border investment through a robust, above-board and legal guest worker program.
• Strengthen the Mexican government by dramatically weakening the cartels through the legalization of marijuana.
• Aggressively negotiate mutually beneficial agreements with Mexico regarding such issues as funds transfers, taxation of income earned in the U.S. by guest workers, and deportation and incarceration of Mexican nationals arrested in the United States.
For more information about Governor Gary Johnson and the OUR America Initiative, please visit www.ouramericainitiative.com.
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The OUR America Initiative is a national issue based advocacy committee. Key issues include: Solving the Economic Crisis and Creating Jobs; Lowering the Federal Deficit; Civil Liberties; Fighting the War on Drugs; Immigration Policy; and Taxes. Additional information regarding the committee’s position on these issues can be found at www.ouramericainitiative.com.
To schedule an interview with Gary Johnson, please contact Sue Winchester at 801-303-7924 or via email at media@ouramericainitiative.com.
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16 Responses
This is a great plan.And I support it. But we must not wait until it’s debated written and implemented to secure the borders. This could take years they way th govt. is run. We need secure borders now. I believe the terrorists are watching this as closely as wem are. And I’m sure they are using this as an entry point. I don’t have solid proof of this. But you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. I wish you God speed in getting this plan in place. I do believe that as long as Obama is in the , you will have trouble. God Bless you and America.
Seems so simple and reasonable – clearly those in Washington will not be able to grasp such a concept. Liking Gary’s message more & more each day.
Gary, Your plan is a common sense approach, especially concerning the legalization of Marijuana. It would have never been illegal in the first place, except for Harry Anslinger’s personal vendetta. But the Mexican Drug cartels can’t just be defeated by legalizing Marijuana alone. I truly beleive we need a strong MILITARY PRESENCE on our border also.
As for illegal immigrants that want citizenship, it would be refreshing if they showed a little regard and admiration for America’s history, culture, language and laws. Instead of forcing the culture and language of the country they FLED down America’s collective throats.
Every ethnic group that ever emigrated here (Legally!) has had to endure their share of prejudice, before assimilating into what used to be called the “Melting Pot”.
But the (Illegal!)immigrants from Mexico in many cases refuse to assimilate. (Press one for English)They are the ONLY ethnic group that is given special, and in many cases, preferencial treatment in the job market. They are they ONLY group that would dare march in protest, with impugnity, on the streets of a country that they don’t even belong in! I was ashamed to see Nancy Pelosi giving President Calderon standing ovations, while he criticized America’s immigration policy, which is the most welcoming on Earth. Mexico’s own immigration laws are proof that he is nothing more than a HYPOCRITE!
I THINK your plan is a good start.
I KNOW something has to be done, now!
No way. If they are here illegally, they need to be rounded up and deported. Allow those who have waited to legally come here in before you allow someone who wouldn’t follow the rules to come. If they came illegally, don’t allow them to come again as “guest workers” either.
If the current federal immigration laws had been enforced we would not need a comprehensive plan. I thought current law provided for a worker program. My plan: immediately close the border. All illegals who have a job can be put into a guest worker program and their employer will pay a fine. If they are interested in citizenship they must follow the rules every else does for citizenship. All other illegals must be deported. Children born to illegals while in the US can stay with legal immigrants or go with their parents until they become 18. Keep it simple. History shows federal government involvement in anything will not work, i.e. current immigration law, Katrina, Gulf oil spill, Afghan war, etc. Maybe the fed should protect the border and let each state set up their on regulations. Some states don’t seem to mind the influx so they could advertise their open state for illegals. Drug war? Was of money. Could be regulated like alcohol.
Some good ideas and some bad ones.
My main objections are in requiring these guest workers to have some sort of health insurance, which will be very hard on them, causing a subversion of the system.
There is also nothing here that improves border strategy, or that improves the current legal immigration process.
Also, how would we go about rounding up illegal immigrants that don’t come forward?
This plan has some holes in it.
Bravo!
Its time we accept the idea of the legalization of Marijuana as a solution to the problems it now causes to be akin to the same ones caused by prohibition.People die every year from alcohol related incidents, but nothing compared to the drug war killings we see daily.Its time we consider legalization as a sane solution.
Like the part about legalization of marijuana – but Mexicans are also huge suppliers of meth, cocaine & other drugs – what about those?
Also – as far as the better relationship with Mexico, are you suggesting that Obama did the right thing by agreeing while the Mex president blasted the US? No one seems to talk about Mexico’s policy regarding illegal immigrants which involves the use of machetes….I’m thinking far more draconian than ours – also as a teacher in NM daily I work with Mexican nationals receiving freed education, free childcare, WIC, free medical care (including hospitalization for the birth of the anchor baby, free lunches, transportation, etc…..etc….The driver’s license for illegals certainly doesn’t help.
The only thing I disagree with is the guest worker programs. It’s hard enough to get a decent job in this economy without having to compete with more people who don’t even live here. I’ve always said if you want to live in the U.S. that’s great just come here legally and learn English out of respect for this great country of ours.
You go guy. I support you 110%! We not only need to reform the border problems from Mexico. How do you feel about our borders on all sides of our country allowing people from other countries here or who come here to violate us with terror? What are your view about this country’s relationship with Israel?
Yes. Get rid of the warmonger, prison warden mentality present in Arizona. New Mexico has, in the past, shown itself as more progressive; good. Overwhelm the gun toting, border security idiots by grass roots campaiging for more intelligent approaches to immigration issues. Pure democracy can still be the answer for civil rights to prevail in America. Most importantly, inform Mexico and work with Mexican officials to show that there are plenty of Americans who care about making our two nations a place where Mexicans don’t have to hide from American capitalistic bigots bent on making slaves of immigrants.
This is probably the most sensible proposal I’ve seen yet. Come to MI and run for governor and I’ll vote for you AND work on your campaign!
Run for president Mr. Johnson and I’ll vote for you. Barrack Obama went back on his promise to advocate for the re-legalization of cannabis. I think someone who openly states it in his plans is really going to follow through. Thank you for recognizing a huge problem in today’s world. This is probably the most populist issue out there right now.
I think that without serious penalties for the employers of illegals any other action taken would be ineffective,, jail time and heavy fines would be in order for the people and corperations that hire these illegals, if the incentive for the employers is gone as in if they hire a illegal it will cost a lot more than if they were to pay an american a living wage they will be more apt to check the status of the people that they hire, or else.
I’m not in favor or a guest worker program, unless they have not been in this country before and apply to come here as a guest worker and they leave their family in Mexico and go home at night until they can be approved to come here as a citizen. Many are on the waiting list to come here the right way and should not be pushed aside for guest workers or the illegals.
Border crime can only be done through feet on the ground and real enforcement not the playing around that has gone on.
As far as Mexico goes they should be helping us to preserve our borbern NOT suing one of our states because they don’t like our laws, can we sue them just because??? I bet we can’t, what a surprise our government would find that wrong, they only sue their own. It’s time to get real on a lot of the issues and stop playing this administration is a joke.
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